T'gana to accord rousing state reception to Sindhu on arrival

Hyderabad, Aug 21: A rousing state reception will be accorded by the Telangana government to Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu after she arrives here tomorrow morning from Brazil.

After Sindhu's arrival at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here she will be given a grand welcome followed by a rally in an open-top-motorcade towards Gachibowli stadium where the ace shuttler will be felicitated.

Scores of fans are expected to throng the airport to witness the celebratory atmosphere. Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao will lead the reception along with senior officials and all necessary arrangements have been made in this regard.

While congratulating Sindhu for her feat, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, after chairing a Cabinet meeting yesterday said, "a grand welcome would be organised on her arrival in the city on August 22". Telangana government had yesterday announced Rs 5 crore cash reward to Sindhu, a 1,000 square yard housing site near the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Gachibowli and suitable government job, if she is willing.

Hyderabad Collector Rahul Bojja, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy along with heads of various departments today reviewed the welcome arrangements and also inspected the routes from where the motorcade will pass.

Telangana government had also announced cash prize of Rs 1 crore to Sindhu's coach P Gopichand. On August 19, the 21-year-old from Hyderabad lost to world no-1 Carolina Marin of Spain 21-19, 12-21, 15-21 in a pulsating final that lasted for an hour and 23 minutes.

Sindhu, the two-time World championship bronze medallist, became the first Indian woman player to clinch a Silver in the Olympics and fifth woman player from India to win a medal in the quadrennial games.

PTI